In all the years I've kept and bred herps I've never power-fed my animals, and those I've known that did were usually seeking fast growth, fast breeding, and fast sale. I let the animals grow at their own pace, and for me the results have always been good; granted, I wasn't breeding and selling offspring at the same pace as several of my contemporaries, but that was never my intent anyway. Whatever money I gained from sales went right back into the collection for food, housing, bedding,heat, and books (Stull, state guides, etc.). As for longevity, I'd have to say that it has worked well for me over the years; Snowball will be 24 next month, and the Bowtie Snake will turn 20 two days later (I just put up 7 eggs from his latest breeding; smutty old dude!). I have a collection of mostly older animals at this point, very few under the age of 13, and I raised all from hathlings. I won't call myself an "anti" person with regards to power feeding, I just know what has worked for me, and after 30 years of this, I'd like to think my experience has at least some merit.



Bart

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